To: Agent November

Protect Mr. Volter Nate Rigler, a CEO of Rigler Chains of Companies. Be his secretary and a bodyguard until your mission is done. Everything is already prepared.

From: Mr. R

That's what I received in my emails after my long tiring day on my last photo shoot today. I arched my brow and sighed heavily.

“Another mission,” I whispered, then my gaze went to the penthouse’s glass door in my veranda. “Mr. Volter Nate Rigler. Protect? How important is he, by the way?” I asked myself while looking at the city lights.

My thoughts were now clouded by the mission Mr. R has given me now. I still have one mission to do, and it’s been years since I started to find Valdimour. He’s still on my pending mission. Akala ko nga ay hindi na ako bibigyan ng mga misyon ni Mr. R dahil sa hindi ko nagawa ang misyon ko kay Valdimour, pero sa nakalipas na taon ay nagbibigay pa rin siya kahit na nanggagalaiti pa rin ako sa galit kay Valdimour.

I will never forget what he has done to my family. How he killed my little sister. How he killed my innocent sister.

Umiling ako pagkatapos ng ilang sandali bago nagpasyang pumasok sa kusina at maghanap ng maiinom. I used to drink alcoholic beverages to sleep myself at night.

It’s been years since that incident happened. After that night, I never stopped looking for Valdimour. I really wanted to kill him. I really want to avenge my sister.

That day, I went back to Luxembourg and lived there until I finished college. After graduating I decided to fly back to the Philippines and live here alone... Again. 

I have lived my life alone here for almost six years now. I'm already 28 years old and still single. I don't know why I'm still single and can't find a man to marry. Just thinking about the word “marry”, I cringed. I don’t think I can love someone again.

Hindi ko talaga gusto ang salitang kasal. Dahil pakiramdam ko, kapag kinasal ako ay matatali na ako nang husto at hindi na magagawa ang gusto ko sa buhay. Gaya noon, noong nasa puder pa ako ng aking mga magulang. Hindi ko nagagawa ang kahit anong gusto ko dahil palagi na lang akong pinapagalitan ng mga magulang ko.

Gusto kong maging independent sa buhay. Kaya naman nang makatapos ng pag-aaral sa kolehiyo ay ginawa ko ulit ang lahat para mapapayag ang mga magulang na bumukod at mamuhay nang mag-isa. At first they don’t want me to leave Luxembourg, because they don’t want to lose another daughter. Pero hindi ko ‘yon hahayaan. Hindi ako mawawala nang hindi lumalaban. Hindi ko hahayaang mapahamak muli ang aking pamilya.

Pero may mga kondisyon pa rin silang ibinigay sa akin. Na kailangan, kapag tumungtong ako ng trenta ay ikakasal na ako o may ipapakilalang matinong lalaki sa kanila. Parang noon lang ay ayaw nila sa mga natitipuhan ko.

Saan naman ako hahanap noʼn? 

I wish that thing would be just as easy as a piece of cake. Like, I just grab someone’s hand then have him in front of my parents. But I know that's not gonna be easy like that.

Nang makadalawang baso ako ng whiskey ay ibinalik ko na ‘yon sa lagayan at umalis na sa kusina. Pagkatapos ay dumiretso na ako sa kuwarto para makatulog.

I stared at my ceiling while thinking about my mission.

Mission...

Another mission, huh? After months of not giving me a mission, here Mr. R now, giving me a new mission with this... guy. I kind of heard Mr. Rigler’s name before as a most competent billionaire and a most-sought after bachelor in town. But never met him in person or in any magazines.

Rigler...

Valdimour Valencia... Rigler. Are you two related to each other?

But if they are... Why the hell do I need to protect Volter Rigler if I need to kill Valdimour? If these two really are related to each other, why the hell am I with this shit?

Kill and protect.

I have to kill to protect someone.

Mabilis akong bumangon sa kama at nagpasyang umupo sa aking study table. Binuksan ko ang aking laptop at kumuha ng stationary notebook at ballpen. I started typing Mr. Rigler’s name in a search bar. I need some background checking.

For the past years I’m still searching for Valdimour. If he has any movement but none. He’s so wise. He really thinks wisely. But I will not give up. I will find your nest, Valdimour, until you voluntarily give up yourself for me to kill you in any possible way. I’m still not yet done with you.

“Volter Nate Rigler,” I typed his name and hit the search button. “Kapangalan mo ex ko.” Bulong ko sa sarili sabay pasok ng isang alaala sa aking isipan. I smiled bitterly at the thought.

There are so many articles about him. And I open them, one by one. Just to make sure if there’s something interesting, other than him, being a most-paid billionaire.

Owner of a most successful company that makes high-end caliber guns.

A license Firearm Engineer. His company is contributing high-end guns all over the world. He’s doing the models of those guns and selling them legally. But does he have some illegal transactions, too? I want to know since I don’t know this guy.

His chains of companies are all over the world, too. He’s that big time businessman.

Inabot ako ng alas dos ng madaling araw kakabasa ng mga articles tungkol kay Mr. Rigler. Bawat mahahalagang impormasyong nakikita ko ay isinusulat ko ‘yon sa aking notebook.

Iniunat ko ang aking mga braso nang matapos kong mabasa ang mga article na binubuksan ko kanina. I called it a night and then shut my laptop down. Pinatay ko na rin ang ilaw dito sa study table ko at itinabi ang notebook ko bago pumunta sa kama para makatulog na. Mabuti na lang at wala akong shoot bukas o kahit ramp man lang.

Kaya naman kinabukasan ay tanghali na ako nagising. Ni hindi na nga ako nag-exercise dahil sa pagkakapuyat ko dahil sa ginawa. Naiiling na ginawa ko ang morning routine ko bago lumabas at nagluto ng brunch ko.

Habang nagluluto ako ng pagkain ay tumunog ang cellphone ko. Huminga ako nang malalim bago kinuha ‘yon at tiningnan kung sino ang tumatawag.

Tita Rory is calling...

Agad ko namang sinagot ang tawag habang nagluluto.

“Hello, Tita.”

“Oh my goodness, Flinsky!” Kumunot ang noo ko dahil sa hiyaw niya.

“What?” I’m confused why she’s screaming like that.

“You did not sign any contract?!” Mariin kong ipinikit ang aking mga mata at kinagat ang pang-ibabang labi ko.

“Yeah...” I answered breathily.

“Why?! I thought we had a deal?! We had a fucking deal here, Flinsky Ashtrid. You said you're gonna sign a contract?! Lalo na roon sa malaki ang offer?!” dahil sa kakasigaw niya ay kinailangan kong ilayo ang cellphone sa tainga ko at i-loud speaker na lang ‘yon.

Mababasag ang eardrums ko kapag pinagpatuloy ko ang pakikinig sa boses ni Tita Rory.

“I’m sorry, Tita.” I also have a mission now. Mas mabuti nang hindi ako pumirma ng kung anong kontrata ngayon. “And also, that big offer with a commercial company, I don’t like it. You know me very well, Tita. If I don’t like the agreement, I won’t sign anything. Hindi ako maghuhubad sa harap ng mga kanong ‘yon habang nagshu-shoot. No. Never. Over my dead gorgeous body.” umirap ako at pinagpatuloy ang pagluluto.

“But...”

“No buts, Tita. I said I didn’t like the agreement. Hindi ko gusto ang mga nakasaad do’n. I am not a whore. I’m not modeling naked nor posting naked pictures. So No. Hindi ako pipirma. Kahit anong mangyari.” I said with finality in my voice.

I heard her sigh heavily. “It’s just that... Sayang naman ang offer. Ang laki ng ibaba–”

“Kung gusto mo ng malaking kita, ikaw na lang ang magmodel do’n. Hindi ako hayok sa pera.”

“You’re already decided now? Hindi na ba magbabago ‘yan?” umirap ako at pinatay ang gas stove.

“Yes, Tita. I’m taking my vacation now. So please, don’t bother me for the meantime.” I ended the call and sighed heavily.

After that call with Tita Rory, my phone rang again for another call. This time, it’s my father.

“Moien, Papp?” Hello, Daddy.

“Wéini gitt Dir heem?” When are you going home?

I sighed heavily before speaking, “I don’t know, Dad. I still have work here.”

“You know you can still live without work here in the Palace,” I bit my lower lip and stared at my plate.

“I will not be dependent on being a Princess.” I said firmly.

“Your sister is longing for you. Your Mom missed you so much. Mir vermëssen dech.” We miss you.

“Dad...”

“It’s fine if you don’t find a man yet to marry. Just... Please, go home and visit us.”

Parang kailan lang ay pinapagalitan niya ako dahil hindi isang karapat-dapat ang minahal ko, ngayon naman halos ipagtulakan niya ako sa kung sino. I also remembered how he introduced some Royal Princes to me. Pero wala ni isa sa kanila ang nagustuhan ko.

“I’ll visit soon. But not now. I still have a packed schedule.”

“Alright, we will wait.”

After having brunch, I just took a shower and wore a simple suit and decided to leave my house.

I parked my Mercedes Benz in the basement and wore my sunglasses and face mask. After that I got out of my car and walked towards the elevator.

Dumiretso ako sa lobby ng building. Agad naman akong sinalubong ni Teressa, ang kanang kamay ko rito sa Agency. She’s all her smile as she walk towards my direction.

“Good afternoon, Agent Vem.” She greeted me, smiling at me from ear to ear.

Naglakad na kami papunta sa isang bakanteng opisina. She used to call me that because I said so. Masyadong mahaba kung ‘Agent November’ ang itatawag niya sa akin palagi.

“Good afternoon. By the way, I have a new mission. Did you already prepare my documents?” I’m sure she already knew about my new mission.

“Yes, Agent Vem. From your documents to your resume.” Tumango ako.

Nang makapasok kami sa loob ay umupo ako sa dulong swivel chair at hinintay si Tessa na kunin ang documents na kailangan ko. I put my purse on the table and crossed my legs while waiting for her.

“Here,” she handed me a brown envelope. “I’ll be with you in your mission, Agent Vem. As a bodyguard.” Tumango ako sa inimporma niya.

“So, when do we start?” I asked, arching a brow while scanning the documents I have.

It's all fake. Bukod sa pangalan at birthday ko. Pero pinalitan ang apelyido ko. In this documents, I’m Flinsky Zapanta. I should be used to this name now. 

“The day after tomorrow.”